Cylic imidazole compounds having relatively low hydrogen content and relatively high nitrogen content and polymers formed therefrom

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, the invention provides a polymer comprising imidazole ring units having nitrogen at the 1 and 3 positions of the ring; a carbon at each of the 2, 4 and 5 positions of the ring; and radical substituents G1 and G2 carried at the 4 and 5 positions. G1 and G2 are each independently selected from cyano, substituents derived from cyano, and substituents which replace cyano. The polymers formed by at least two of the cyclic imidazole units. In another embodiment, the invention provides new imidazole compounds usable as monomers to form the polymers. In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method for using the polymers as a coupling/activator for synthon synthesis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds and polymers based on andformed from imidazoles and methods for preparing same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heterocyclic compounds are commonly used in industry. Imidazoles aremonocyclic heteroatomic ring compounds. Derivatives of imidazoles areused for dewatering of aqueous suspensions of organic and inorganicmaterials in waste water treatment. They are used for diverse purposessuch as agricultural chemicals, insecticides, and catalysts. TheEncyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 12 (1988) reportsthat it is very difficult to synthesize imidazole monomers. Imidazolepolymers can also be very difficult to synthesize. For this reason,imidazole compounds and polymers are used in limited quantities and arevery costly.

Presently, there is a need for new polymers having heterocyclic monomerunits which provide properties derived from their relatively lowhydrogen content and relatively high nitrogen content. For example,polymers formed from heterocyclic compounds are expected to provide anumber of useful characteristics including flame resistance. Otherimportant uses are anticipated if such polymers are able to besynthesized cost-effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new family ofcyclic imidazole ring compounds which are generally based on new2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles. Another object is to provide polymers andcopolymers formed from such compounds. Another object is to providemethods of synthesis which permit production of the new compounds andpolymers from relatively inexpensive precursors, and which are suitablefor scale-up to commercial processing. Still another object is toprovide methods for using the new compounds and polymers of theinvention. In particular, another object is to provide a method forusing the new polymers in oligonucleotide synthesis.

The invention provides new compounds having a cyclic imidazole ringstructure with specialized functional groups carried on the ring. Suchgroups are included prior to polymerization or after. In one embodiment,a given group is included prior to polymerization, then removed, andreplaced by another group after polymerization.

In one embodiment, the cyclic compound of the invention has the formulaas per FIG. 1, where R1 is characterized by being hydrogen or organicsubstituent that does not interfere with polymerization, and by beingattachable to the cyclic compound by an electrophilic agent. It ispreferred that the cyclic compound have the formula as shown in FIG. 1,where R1 represents an organic group, or hydrogen, and is preferably anorganic group having one or more carbon atoms. Most preferably, R1 is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.Preferably, R1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl,propyl, isobutyl, benzyl, nonyl, and carbamoyl. In a variation on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the substituent carried at the 1-nitrogenposition may be more generally represented as E, which is anysubstituent, and preferably is attachable to the nitrogen by anelectrophilic agent, and is not necessarily hydrogen or organic.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cyclic compound has the formula as shown whereR1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic substituentshaving 1 to 10 carbon atoms. It is preferred that at least of R1 and R2is selected from the class of organic substituents where suchsubstituents do not interfere with polymerization. It is preferred thatR1 be any group attachable to the cyclic compound by an electrophilicagent. As in the case earlier described with respect to FIG. 1, R1 maybe a substituent such as hydrogen or an organic substituent, with R1being E as per above.

In one preferred embodiment, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or substitutedor unsubstituted alkyls, with R2 having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R1having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. It is necessary that the substituent,whether hydrogen, organic (R), or more broadly E, is stericallynon-hindering. In the most preferred embodiment, R3 is hydrogen and R2is selected from the group of methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl.

Polymers formed by monomeric units of the invention are the polymersexemplified in FIGS. 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 9 and 10. The polymer generallycomprises cyclic imidazole units having nitrogen at the 1 and 3positions; a carbon at each of the 2, 4 and 5 positions; and radicalsubstituents G1 and G2 carried at respective 4 and 5 positions. In oneembodiment, G1 and G2 are each independently selected from cyano,substituents derived from cyano, and substituents which replace cyano.Polymers of the invention are formed by at least two of the cyclicimidazole units joined by linkage through any combination of linkingcarbon six and carbon seven carried on the ring at the 2 positioncarbon. Such linking carbons 6 and 7 are derived from vinyl carried atsaid 2 position carbon. In one embodiment the cyclic imidazole units areconnected to a main polymer chain through linkage at the 2 positionproviding a polymer as exemplified in FIGS. 4, 4A, and 10.

In another embodiment, the polymer units are connected to one another bylinkage through both the 1 and 7 positions. This is referred to in theart as "in chain linkage" or "ring in chain polymer". This isexemplified by FIGS. 3, 3A and 9.

The polymer of the invention provides surprising flexibility forsubstituents at the 1-nitrogen and 4,5 positions on the ring. This isexemplified in FIGS. 3A and 4A. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, G1 and G2are each independently selected from cyano, derivatives of cyano, andsubstituents which replace cyano on an imidazole ring. Examples includecyano, carboxy, carbamoyl, amide, amine, carboxylic acid and carboxylicester. Broadly, E is essentially any substituent, and desirably E isattachable to the nitrogen by an electrophilic agent. Advantageously, Emay serve a variety of functional uses such as provide fluorescence inan assay, or facilitate crosslinking. Examples of substituents carriedat the E position include hydrogen, organic group, organic group havingup to 10 carbon atoms, a catalytic substituent, a fluorescentsubstituent, a hydrophobic modifier substituent, a hydrophilic modifiersubstituent, and a crosslinking substituent.

The compounds and polymers of the invention are useful in a variety ofapplications, including synthesis of oligonucleotides. It isparticularly preferred to use a vinylic polymer of the invention asexemplified in FIGS. 4, 4A and 10 for facilitating chemical synthesis ofoligonucleotides. For this purpose, it is preferred to use the polymerexemplified in the figures, with R1 being hydrogen, namely,poly[1-(1H-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazoyl)ethylene]. To promote the couplingreaction used in laboratory synthesis of oligomers. In a typicalsynthesis method which exemplifies utility of the present polymer,deprotected nucleotide reacts with a protected monomer unit in areaction mixture in the presence of a coupling agent. This forms aproduct of the reaction which is a 5'-protected oligonucleotide havingits length increased by joining the monomer unit to the oligonucleotide.The desired product is separated from other reagents and unreactedsubstituents.

In accordance with the invention, the coupling agent is the polymer ofthe invention comprising cyclic imidazole units having nitrogen at the 1and 3 positions; a carbon at each of the 2, 4 and 5 positions; andsubstituents G1 and G2 carried at respective 4 and 5 positions, where G1and G2 are as defined earlier. It is preferred that each of G1 and G2 bean electron-withdrawing group, but need not necessarily be the sameelectron-withdrawing group. It is preferred that G1 and G2 are eachindependently selected from a group consisting of cyano, substituentsderived from cyano, and substituents which replace cyano. It is mostpreferred that G1 and G2 each be cyano. As shown in FIG. 10, the polymercomprises imidazole units connected to the main polymer chain throughthe 2 position. It is preferred that R1 be hydrogen also, as shown inFIG. 10. With reference to FIG. 10 for convenience of illustration, thedesignation "1m" is used to represent alternate units of the1H-4,5-dicyanoimidazole monomer unit.

The invention provides new compounds and polymers based on suchcompounds. The polymers are formed from monomeric units which wereheretofore unavailable. Advantageously, the specific monomers of theinvention are polymerizable by cost-effective methods to providepolymers having highly desirable properties. The inventionadvantageously provides new coupling agent (activator) for promotingphosphoramidite coupling reaction used in laboratory synthesis ofoligomers. The invention advantageously provides relativelystraight-forward and low-cost monomers, polymers, and synthesis methodswhich result in relatively good yields of desirable compounds, allreadily adaptable to scale-up for commercial processing.

These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments, claims, andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cyclic 2-vinyl imidazole compound.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another embodiment of a cyclic 2-vinylimidazole compound.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a poly-imidazole, with the cyclic imidazolemonomers joined to a main polymer chain by linkage at the 7 positioncarbon and 1 position nitrogen, forming an "in-chain" polyimidazole.

FIG. 3A is similar to FIG. 3, but the cyano groups at the 4 and 5positions have been replaced by generic functional groups, independentlyselected G1 and G2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a poly-imidazole, with the cyclic imidazolemonomers joined to a main polymer chain by linkage at the 2 positioncarbon forming a poly [1-(2-imidazolyl)ethylene].

FIG. 4A is similar to FIG. 4, but the cyano groups at the 4 and 5positions have been replaced by generic functional groups, independentlyselected G1 and G2; and generic group E replaces R1 at the 1 positionnitrogen.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a basic reaction for preparingN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-propenimine (acrodamn), a startingmaterial used to form monomers and polymers of the invention

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a basic reaction for preparingN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-methyl-propenimine (methacrodamn), astarting material used to form monomers and polymers of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a basic reaction for preparingN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-butenimine (crotodamn), a startingmaterial used to form monomers and polymers of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a basic reaction for preparing2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole given the name Vinazene (trademark). Here,acrodamn of FIG. 5 is oxidized to 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 9 shows the monomer of FIG. 8 under thermolysis to achieveMichael-type addition polymerization to form the polymer with theimidazole "in-chain". The linkage is achieved through the 7 carbon andthe 1 nitrogen.

FIG. 10 shows the monomer of FIG. 8 after free radical polymerization.Here, alternate imidazole rings are abbreviated as Im, for clarity. Therings are pendant to a backbone by linkage at the 2 position carbon.

FIG. 11 shows the monomer alkylated to form methyl Vinazene (trademark),also 1-methyl-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole. Then the 1-protected monomerundergoes vinylic polymerization by AIBN initiator.

FIG. 12 shows that the varying substituents R1, R2 and R3 are usable toform starting materials, similar to that illustrated by FIGS. 5-7; andto form monomers and polymers carrying such substituents.

FIG. 13 shows an example of forming a cyclic dicyanoimidazole compoundusing Schiff base derived from N-ethyl DAMN (diaminomaleonitrile).

FIG. 14 shows a reaction to form a Michael-type polymer usingtriethylamine and benzonitrile.

FIG. 15 is a mass spectrum of 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 16 is a KBr-type IR spectra of 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 17 is a proton-type NMR of 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 18 is a mass spectrum of 1-methyl-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 19 is a proton-type NMR of 1-methyl-2-vinyl-4,5 dicyanoimidazole.

FIGS. 20 and 21 contain viscosimetric plots and data for molecularweight measurement ofpoly[1-(1-methyl-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl)ethylene], also referred to aspoly[methyl Vinazene].

FIG. 22 shows the results of TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis) tracefor the polymer formed by reaction in FIG. 9, a Michael-typepoly(Vinazene).

FIG. 23 shows the results of DSC (differential scanning calorimeter)analysis of Vinazene (trademark). The trace shows Vinazene formingMichael-type poly(Vinazene).

FIG. 24 is an illustration of a comparative reaction using a variationof the cyclic imidazole monomer. Here, the Schiff base of1-methyl-2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole is formed and it behaves verydifferently from Vinazene and N-methyl Vinazene.

FIG. 25 shows another comparative dicyanoimidazole derivative whichbehaves differently from the monomers and polymers of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic of a reaction sequence for synthesis ofoligonucleotides.

FIG. 27 shows a general structure of a representative oligonucleotidesynthesized by a method according to the invention where the couplingagent is the polymer of the invention.

FIG. 28 shows a general structure of a 5'-protected monomer unit whichis usable to form a block of oligonucleotides (growing nucleotide chain)prepared by the synthesis methods of the invention.

FIG. 29 shows a reaction sequence for synthesis of oligomers by thesteps of detritylation; coupling; capping of unreacted material; andoxidation of coupled material. The coupling/activating agent (χ) of theinvention is shown with reference to FIGS. 4, 4A and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a new class of cyclic imidazole ring compoundswhich are generically based on new 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles. Thenew compounds are usable as monomers to form polymers and copolymers.Specialized functional groups are carried on the ring. Such groups areincluded prior to polymerization or after. In another embodiment, agiven group may be included prior to polymerization, then removed andreplaced by another group after polymerization. The cyclic imidazolering compounds have a formula as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably R1 ishydrogen if the polymerization is to be by thermalization. In the caseof free radical polymerization, R1 may be hydrogen or an organicsubstituent that does not interfere with polymerization. In the case ofanionic polymerization, R1 is an organic substituent that does notcontain an acidic proton and does not interfere with polymerization. Inanother aspect, R1 is an organic substituent attachable to the cyclicring structure by an electrophilic agent. It is preferred that R1 is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1-10 carbon atoms. It isdesirable that R1 is an organic group having 1-10 carbon atoms. It ismost preferred that R1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl,ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, benzyl, nonyl, and carbamoyl.

In one embodiment, the cyclic compound has the formula as shown in FIG.2, where R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different, and are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organicradicals; provided that at least one of said R1 and R2 is selected fromthe organic substituents. The selection of substituents is limited tothose that do not interfere with polymerization. The proviso that suchsubstituents do not interfere with polymerization is understood in theart as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,007. It is desirable that R1is any group attachable to the cyclic compound by an electrophilicagent. It is desirable that R1 is selected from the aforesaid groupsdescribed earlier. In one embodiment, R1 and R2 are each substituted orunsubstituted alkyls, with R2 having 1-4 carbon atoms, and R1 having1-10 carbon atoms. The aforesaid selection criteria for the organicsubstituent requires that it be sterically nonhindering, so that theorganic substituent is sterically nonhindering upon polymerization. Itis preferred that R3 be hydrogen. It is preferred that R2 be selectedfrom the group of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and other simple alkyls.It should be noted that the terms "organic radical", "organic group",and "organic substituent", are used herein interchangeably.

In another aspect, the invention provides a polymer comprising cyclicimidazole units having nitrogen at the "1" and "3" positions; a carbonat each of the "2", "4", and "5" positions; where at least two of thecyclic imidazole units are connected to one another by linkage betweenany combination of: carbon at the 7 position, and nitrogen at the 1position; or at least two of the cyclic imidazole units are joined toform a polymer by linkage between any combination of the aforesaidcarbon at the 7 position and carbon at the 6 position. It is preferredthat the polymer further comprise cyano groups carried at the respective4 and 5 positions of the ring units. Aside from cyano groups, radicalgroups G1 and G2 may be carried at respective 4 and 5 positions, whereG1 and G2 are each independently selected from the group consisting ofcyano, substituents derived from cyano, and substituents which replacecyano. Preferably, G1 and G2 are each independently selected from cyano,carboxy, carbamoyl, and derivatives of cyanos, such as amides, amino,and carboxylic acids and carboxylic esters.

In one embodiment, G1 and G2 are, in the first instance, cyano groupswhich are carried into the reaction by DAMN or a DAMN derivative. Cyanogroups are quite strongly electron withdrawing, and influence theproperties of the imidazole. However, cyano groups also offer reactivityby which they can be readily converted to other groups. Thus, by actionof acid or base, they may be hydrolyzed singly or together, to affordamide groups, carboxylic acid groups, or by alcoholysis, carboxylicester groups. These groups are all somewhat electron withdrawing to theimidazole ring. Cyano groups also permit modification by Hoffman typereaction to afford electron-donating amine groups. Examples ofconversion of cyano groups on imidazoles to other functional groups areknown.

A polymer comprising repeat units of a monomer of the invention isexemplified by the formula of FIG. 3, where R4 and R5 are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen andsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyls having 1-4 carbon atoms. In the casewhere each of R4 and R5 are alkyl, this is poly[(1-R4 alkyl-2-R5 alkyl)ethylene N(4,5 dicyano-2-imidazolyl)]. Another embodiment is shown bythe polymer of FIG. 4, where R1, R2, and R3 are defined as immediatelyabove. In the case where R1, R2 and R3 are each alkyl, this ispoly[(1-(N-R1 alkyl-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl)-1-R2-alkyl-2-R3 alkylethylene]. Referring to FIG. 3(A), groups G1 and G2 may be cyano groups,or groups which replace the cyano groups. In another embodiment shown inFIG. 4(A), substituent group E replaces the R1. Preferably, E is afunctional group attachable to the 1 position nitrogen by anelectrophilic agent. In one embodiment, E is a catalytically activegroup which renders the polymer useful as a catalytic agent. In anotherembodiment, E may be a fluosrescent group, where the polymer might beused for assay purposes. In still another embodiment, E may be ahydrophobic modifier. In still another embodiment, E may be acrosslinking agent that is a bifunctional electrophile or bifunctionalepoxide. In one preferred embodiment, the bifunctional electrophile is1,6-dibromohexane.

One advantageous feature of the invention is the broad range of thesubstituent, E or R1, on the 1-N of 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole; andthe role of E or R1 on the polymer derived from the above monomer. Thelocation of E, R1 on the monomer makes it unlikely that even moderatelybulky groups will interfere with the vinylic polymerization by eitherfree radical or anionically induced polymerization. The thermalpolymerization of 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole is a special case andis described separately. Thus, R1 can be nearly any organic group whichcan be put on by reaction with an electrophilic reagent. In some cases,R1 might be chosen to afford certain solubility characteristics to thepolymer. For example, if R1 is a relatively long chain such as nonyl,the polymer would be solubilized in the less polar organic solvents. IfR1 is a small group such as methyl, its steric influence on polymerproperties and backbone would be minimized. It is noteworthy that thepresence of any group R1 makes the molecule behave differently from 1-Hbecause of the acidity of the H. Attempts to polymerize1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole by anionic methods would lead todeprotonation and no polymerization.

In some cases, R1 could be chosen because of its ease of removal.However, unlike the protecting groups commonly employed on imidazoles,dicyanoimidazoles are not well protected by silylation or acylation.Silyl groups or acyl groups come off too readily. Additional protectinggroups which may be useful in various applications are ethyl, isopropyl,sec-butyl, benzyl, methoxybenzyl, methyloxymethyl, carbamoyl, etc.

After polymerization and deprotection of the 1-N, this site is againavailable for functionalization. A variety of electrophiles could bechosen to attach groups which provide specialized functions. Suchreactions on polymers are usually called grafting. Functional groups (E)which have been grafted onto polymers cover an exceedingly wide range ofpossibilities. They can allow catalytically active groups, fluorescentgroups, hydrophobic or hydrophilic modifiers, etc. Another important useof the 1-N site is its potential for crosslinking. A bifunctionalelectrophile such as 1,6-dibromohexane or bifunctional epoxides commonlyused for urethane crosslinking, could be applied to this system.

Methods for forming the novel monomers and polymers of the inventionwill now be described.

There are two general routes to prepare the 4,5-dicyanoimidazoles fromdiaminomaleonitrile (DAMN). It is possible to start from an electrophilewhich is an acid or masked acid such as an orthoformate. This method wasoriginally described by Woodward in U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,331 (1950),which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Alternatively, one can start from a mono Schiff base and carry outoxidative ring closure. This is similar to a method as described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,220,466 (1980), by Patel, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the methodology begins by reaction of DAMN withacrolein or simple substituted acroleins such as methacrolein andcrotonaldehyde. The oxidation of these acyclic monoanils leads directlyto 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles. The parent monomer of this family is1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, and has the empirical formula C₇ H₄N₄. It contains approximately 39% nitrogen by weight. These initialmaterials, acrodamn, and substituted variations crotodamn andmethacrodamn, are prepared by processes given directly below, alsodescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,408 (Rasmussen et al Jan. 27, 1998),incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. See alsoPCT/US97/14093, which is PCT of U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,408, alsoincorporated by reference.

N-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-butenimine

(Crotodamn)

A solution was prepared comprising 3.3 milliliters (40.0 mmol) ofcrotonaldehyde and 10 drops of 1 molar hydrochloric acid in 40milliliters of tetrahydrofuran. The solution was cooled to a temperatureof approximately 0° C. A second solution was prepared comprising 4.015grams (37.1 mmol) of diaminomaleonitrile in 100 milliliters oftetrahydrofuran, also cooled to a temperature of approximately 0° C. Thediaminomaleonitrile solution was slowly added to the solution containingthe crotonaldehyde while stirring. After 5 minutes, the mixed solutionwas poured over 500 milliliters of ice cold hexane. The resultingprecipitate was collected and dried and yielded 3.867 grams of a white,fluffy powder (FIG. 7). The mother liquor was stripped down to give anadditional 1.862 grams of a light yellow powder, providing a total yieldof approximately of 96.5 percent. The powder was recrystallized fromether/hexane to give white/light yellow powdery crystals. Uponsublimation at reduced pressure, clear yellow needle-shaped crystalswere formed. The product exhibited a melting point of approximately 109°C. to 112° C., infrared characteristics 3457, 3349 (--NH2), 2950(alkyl), 2239, 2206 (--CN), 1638, 1620, 1606, 1587, 1563, 1370, and 985cm-1. NMR analysis using DMSO solvent revealed δ1.9 (d, 3H), 6.3 (m,1H), 6.6 (m, 1H), 7.6 (s, 2H), and 7.9 (d, 1H). The calculated productwas analyzed to have a formula C₈ H₈ N₄ corresponding to the followingweight percents: carbon, 60.0; hydrogen, 5.0; and nitrogen, 35.0. Actualanalysis revealed: carbon, 60.8; hydrogen, 5.1; and nitrogen, 33.9,verifying the formula of the productN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-ethylaminovinyl)-2-butenimine (Crotodamn).

N-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-propenimine

(Acrodamn)

A similar method of preparation was conducted using the acroleinprecursor to prepare N-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-propenimine(FIG. 5). This product exhibited infrared pattern at 3416, 3297, 3170evidencing an amine (--NH₂), 2232, 2214 (--CN), 1630, 1587, 1381, 1350,992, and 965 cm⁻¹. NMR analysis conducted in DMSO revealed δ5.9 (d, 1H),6.1 (d, 1H), 6.6 (m, 1H), 7.9 (s, 2H), and 8.0 (d, 1H). Compositionalanalysis for the C₇ H₆ N₄ product was calculated on a weight percentbasis to be carbon, 57.5; hydrogen, 4.1; and nitrogen, 38.4. Actualanalysis revealed: carbon, 57.8; hydrogen, 4.4; and nitrogen, 38.2,evidencing a compound of the formulaN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-propenimine (Acrodamn).

N-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-methylpropenimine

(Methacrodamn)

A compound designated asN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-methylpropenimine was also preparedutilizing the methacrolein precursor (FIG. 6). The resulting product wasfound to have a melting point of approximately 118° C. to 120° C. Itexhibited infrared values at 3451, 3418, 3306 evidencing an amine(--NH₂), 2959 (-alkyl); 2244, 2207 (--CN), 1614, 1595, 1389, 1350, and909 cm⁻¹. Analysis by NMR in DMSO solvent revealed δ1.9 (s, 3H), 5.76(s, 1H), 5.80 (s, 1H), 7.7 (s, 2H), and 7.9 (s, 1H). The product had acalculated general formula of C₈ H₈ N₄ with constituents present in thefollowing weight percents: carbon, 60.0; hydrogen, 5.0; and nitrogen,35.0. The actual analysis revealed carbon, 60.3; hydrogen, 5.2; andnitrogen 34.3, evidencing a compound of the formulaN-(cis-1,2-dicyano-2-aminovinyl)-2-methylpropenimine.

In accordance with the above, the methodology makes use of theunsaturated monoanils of DAMN as starting materials for the preparationof 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles. The monoanils can be oxidatively ringclosed using oxidants such as lead tetraacetate to afford the vinylimidazoles. For example, the acrodamn compound is oxidized to1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole as shown in FIG. 8. For discussionpurposes, this oxidation product has been given the trivial name"Vinazene" (trademark).

It is somewhat surprising that this oxidation method can be applied toacrodamn to effect oxidative ring closure to produce2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole without inducing polymerization. Themechanism probably involves equilibrium cyclization from whicharomatization proceeds by irreversible dehydrogenation. The unoptimizedyields for this oxidation, which must be run carefully, are over 80%.

Detailed characterization data for this new compound are provided laterbelow. This parent monomer polymerizes in two ways. Under thermolysis itundergoes Michael-type addition polymerization to form the polymer withthe imidazole "in-chain" as shown in FIG. 9. DSC and TGA are givenbelow. If however the same monomer is treated with free radicalinitiator, such as benzoyl peroxide, a vinylically derived free radicalpolymerization is induced in which the cyanoimidazole rings are pendantto a polymethylene backbone, as shown in FIG. 10. In this polymer theacidic hydrogen at the one position remains and the polymer can bedissolved and processed by dissolving it in base. This backbone hasopportunity for 1,3 hydrogen bonding to occur both interchain and alongthe chain repeats.

Another aspect of the invention concerns the fact that the monomerdescribed above, can be alkylated or otherwise protected withoutinducing polymerization. Thus for example, it can be methylated as shownin FIG. 11. The resulting 1-protected monomer, methyl Vinazene, alsoundergoes vinylic polymerization, for example by the initiator AIBN asin FIG. 11. In this example, a polymer of viscosity average molecularweight 140,000 was prepared at 65° C. in acetonitrile. Examples ofpolymer stability assayed by thermogravimetric analysis are provided inthe accompanying data.

This same monomer can be polymerized by anionic initiation, for example,by the use of fluorenyl lithium. This initiator, which is known toinitiate acrylonitrile, but not styrene, places the monomer among thosepolymerized by mild anionic methods. This placement suggests thepossibility of readily forming copolymers and perhaps block copolymersof this and related monomers, with styrene, acrylonitrile, and otherlarge volume monomers which are initiated under similar conditions.

The monomer(s) are easily modified by using various substituents (R1),at the 1-nitrogen as described above. However, by varying the startingmaterials, the substituents R2, and R3 can also be varied, as per FIG.12.

As described above, there were prepared Schiff base derivatives of DAMNusing different aldehydes, for example, methacrodamn, R2=methyl, R3=H;crotodamn, R2=H, R3=methyl. Schiff bases derived from N-ethyl DAMN(R1=ethyl) can also be oxidized by the methods described above to affordthe corresponding cyanoimidazole derivatives. Thus, for example,N-ethylmethacrodamn is oxidized to 1-ethyl-2-[1-methylvinyl]-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, as per FIG. 13.

The new polymers are useful in applications which call for higherthermal and oxidative stability than conventional vinylic polymers. Thenitrogen content of the parent monomer,1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, and its polymers is, for example, 39%by weight. This high nitrogen content, along with the intrinsicstability of the imidazole ring system, gives the polymer s potentialfor providing inhibition of flammability, higher softening temperatures,and greater char yields than conventional materials. A summary of theadvantages found in pursuing applications for these new polymers aredescribed here below.

There is a moderate cost structure. Synthesis of monomers occurs in oneor two steps from starting materials that are nearly commodities.Although polymers directly derived from acrolein are uncommon, thismaterial has a current world production estimated at 125,000 tonnes peryear. DAMN is a stable solid, marketed by Nippon Soda Co. at moderateprices. The monomers polymerize very readily by thermal or chemicalinitiation at very moderate temperatures to afford polymers. Thesepolymers have high thermal stability and they decompose with low gasevolution. Once the cyclization to imidazole takes place, theheteroaromatic stability long associated with this ring system inpolymer chemistry provides very robust materials. The stoichiometriccomposition of the materials, with their very high nitrogen and lowhydrogen content, suggests their use as flame retardants, protectivecoatings, and in specialty materials which demand high oxidationresistance.

The monomers or the polymers are easily modified. The family ofderivatives appears to be limited only by the range of electrophileswhich will readily attach to the 1-N. Since cyanoimidazole anion is agood leaving group, the 1,3 sites can function together in a catalyticmode for the transfer of attached groups. Grafting reactions should alsobe very facile. The cyano groups can be hydrolyzed before or afterpolymerization to afford amides or carboxylic acid. This may prove to bea highly economical route to cation exchange resins or metal ionsequestering polymers.

Synthesis of Monomers and Polymers

2-Vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole

The acrodamn, prepared as per the earlier described method, was used inthis present synthesis. The acrodamn (7.00 g) was dissolved in 150 ml ofdistilled acetonitrile, yielding an orange solution. A solution of 22.5g of lead (IV) tetraacetate and 300 ml of distilled acetonitrile wasplaced in a room temperature water bath. The acrodamn/acetonitrilesolution was poured, in one portion, into the lead (IV) tetraacetatesolution. The colorless lead solution immediately darkened to anorange-red solution and a white, voluminous precipitate with a metallicsheen appeared. The solution was allowed to stir for 10 minutes, andthen filtered. The resulting precipitate was washed via filtration untilno more color was liberated in the filtrate. The filtrate was thenrotovapped and stripped with a vacuum pump. To the resulting residue,400 ml of ether was added and allowed to stir overnight. The ethersolution was filtered and rotovapped to yield 5.63 g of2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (82%) as a reddish solid. This crudeproduct shows very small traces of unidentified impurity and may bepurified by dissolving in a minimum of ethyl acetate, pouring the ethylacetate into ether, filtering the precipitate, and evaporating thefiltrate to recover the product for essentially quantitative recovery.

Mp 168-170° C., IR 3310 (--NH), 2241 (--CN), 1640, 1619, 1510, 1431,1405, 1300, 1069, 1003 cm-1; NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 5.2 (dd, J=10.95, 2.06 Hz,1H), 5.9 (dd, J=17.61, 2.06 Hz, 1H), 6.5 (dd, 17.61, 10.95 Hz, 1H,H.sub.α).

1-Methyl-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole

To a solution of 0.602 g (4.17 mmol) of 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole indistilled THF (15 mL) at 0° C. under nitrogen was added slowly whilestirring 0.22 mL (2.32 mmol) of dimethyl sulfate and 0.60 mL (4.30 mmol)triethylaminine via syringe. The reaction solution was allowed to cometo room temperature and was stirred for 15 hours. The reaction solutionwas concentrated down under a stream of nitrogen and dissolved in 10 mLCH₂ Cl₂. This solution was washed twice with a 10% solution of NaOH andtwice with a saturated solution of NaCl. CH₂ Cl₂ was stripped off,leaving a brown oil. This oil was dissolved in approximately 1 mL of THFand precipitated out in hexane. The precipitate was vacuum filtered anddried to yield 0.345 g (52.4% yield) of a light brown, fluffy powder.This powder was dissolved in 100 mL of ether and vacuum filtered toremove undissolved particles. 20 mL of hexane was added to the ethersolution, and the solution was cooled to 0° C. White, needle-shapedcrystals were formed and vacuum filtered.

Mp 96-99° C.; ir 2237 (--CN), 1492, 1464, 1420, 1378, 1328, 986, 948,and 765 cm-1; nmr (DMSO-d₆) δ 3.8 (s, 3H, --CH₃), 5.8 (dd, J=10.89, 1.09Hz, 1H), 6.3 (dd, J=17.35, 1.09 Hz, 1H), 6.9 (dd, J=17.35, 10.89, 1H,H.sub.α).

1-Ethyl-2-Vinyl-4,5-Dicyanoimidazole

A flask equipped with a magnetic stirbar was charged with 6.26 g of2-vinyldicyanoimidazole. To this, 75 ml of distilled THF and 6.1 ml oftriethylamine were added with stirring. After 5 minutes stirring, 5.7 mlof diethyl sulphate was added. This mixture was allowed to stir for 2days. Analysis by TLC (50/50 hexane/ethyl acetate, UV visualization)showed the reaction was complete (starting material rf 0.3, product rf0.6). The THF solution was rotovapped and the residue was dissolved inethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate was washed with 10% aqueous sodiumhydroxide. The combined aqueous layers were back extracted withmethylene chloride. The combined organic layers were dried withmagnesium sulphate and rotovapped to dryness. The crude residue wastriturated with ether. The ether extracts were rotovapped and theresidue recrystallized with ether/hexanes to yield 3.124 g of theproduct, mp 66-70° C. as yellow needles. A second crop yielded 1.72 gfor a combined yield of 65%.

H NMR: 6.95δ, 1H (dd J=17.04, 10.99 Hz); 6.36δ, 1H (dd J=17.04, 1.38Hz); 5.81δ, 1H (dd J=10.99, 1.38 Hz); 4.28δ, 2H (q J=7.14 Hz); 1.33δ, 3H(t J=7.14 Hz)

Poly[1-(1-methyl-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl)ethylene]Poly[1-(4,5-dicyano-1-methyl-2-imidazolyl) ethylene]

Free Radical Initiation

1-Methyl-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (0.356 g, 2.25 mmol) and AIBN(0.005 g, 0.03 mmol) were added to 0.5 mL distilled MeCN in a 10 mLthick-walled test tube with a side arm and stir bar. The test tube wascovered with a septum and connected to a vacuum/nitrogen line via theside arm. After cooling the test tube to -78° C. in dry ice/acetone, thecontents of the test tube were evacuated and filled with nitrogen threetimes. The test tube was allowed to come to room temperature and thenplaced into a 60-65° C. oil bath for 16 hours. Upon removal from the oilbath, the reaction mixture was a brown/yellow viscous material. Uponremoval of THF, a brown/yellow glassy solid resulted which was somewhatsoluble in MeCN and DMSO, but not THF or H₂ SO₄ : nmr (DMSO) δ 1.6, 2.0,2.8, 3.6; viscosity [η]=0.59 dL/g. The product was as per FIGS. 4 and4(A).

Anionic Initiation

1-Methyl-4,5-dicyano-2-vinylimidazole (0.100 g. 0.633 mmol) was added to1.0 mL of distilled THF in a 10 mL thick-walled test tube with a sidearm (oven dried). Fluorene (0.055 g, 0.33 mmol) was added to 1.0 mL ofdistilled THF in a separate 10 mL side arm test tube. Both test tubeswere covered with a septum and connected to a vacuum/nitrogen line viatheir side arms. The test tubes and their contents were cooled to -78°C. in a dry ice/acetone bath and were evacuated and filled with nitrogenthree times. While still at -78° C., 0.2 mL of a 1.58 M solution ofbutyllithium was added to the fluorene solution which immediately turnedan orange color. A syringe was used to transfer 0.1 mL of the fluorenyllithium solution to the test tube with1-methyl-4.5-dicyano-2-vinylimidazole. The reaction mixture immediatelyturned a darker color and a brown precipitate formed. Methanol (1.0 mL)was added to quench the anion and the solution turned an orange color.The precipitate was filtered and washed with ether yielding a lightorange powder which was insoluble in THF but still soluble inacetonitrile; NMR δ 1.6, 2.0, 2.8, 3.6, 8.8 (partial hydrolysis ofnitrites). The product was as per FIGS. 4 and 4A.

Poly[1-(1-H-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl)ethylene]

To a solution of 280 mg of 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole in 2 ml of DMFwas added 7 mg of benzoyl peroxide. The solution was degassed usingthree cycles of the freeze-pump-thaw method, and placed in a constanttemperature bath (120° C.) overnight (12 hours). The solvent was removedby high vacuum evacuation. The polymer was characterized by NMR, andshown to contain a very small portion of monomer, as well as residualsolvent. H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 1.7 (v br). The product was as per FIG. 10.

Synthesis of Michael-type Polymer

A test tube fit with a schlenk sidearm was charged with 0.23 g (1.59mmol) or 4,5-dicyano-2-vinylimadazole. A magnetic spine vane was addedand the test tube was sealed with a septum. Via cannulation, 2 ml ofbenzonitrile was added to the test tube and 0.26 ml (1.87 mmol, 18%excess) of triethylamine was added via a syringe. The test tube wasplaced in a hot oil bath (110° C.) and allowed to stir overnight. Afterovernight heating and stirring, the heat bath was removed and thecontents of the schlenk test tube were rinsed into a round bottom flaskwith acetone. The solution was rotovapped until no more solvent wasliberalized and then placed in a hot water bath (65° C.) under highvacuum. This treatment afforded a dark tacky solid. The process andproduct polymer are as per FIG. 14.

Characterization of Monomers and Polymers

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are respectively Mass, Infrared, and Proton NMRspectra of 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 15 is the mass spectrum for Vinazene. The parent peak occurs at144, the mass necessary for C₇ H₄ N₄. A relatively intense peak occursat 143, corresponding to loss of hydrogen from the 1-position of thearomatic ring. A peak occurs at 108, corresponding to loss of a CNfunctionality.

FIG. 16 shows the infrared spectrum of Vinazene. The hydrogen-bondingpattern from approximately 3200 to 2400 is consistent with a1,3-hydrogen-bonding pattern from a 2-substituted dicyanoimadazole ring.A sharp peak at 2250 is indicative of the nitrile.

FIG. 17 shows the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum ofVinazene. Three peaks at 5.7d, 6.2d, and 6.6d have three couplingconstants between them. This is consistent with a singly-substitutedvinyl group. These signals integrate to one proton each, consistent withthe proposed structure. The peak at 2.5 is incompletely dueterated NMRsolvent, DMSO. The peak at 3.3d is residual water in the NMR solvent.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are respectively Mass and Proton NMR spectra of1-methyl-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole.

FIG. 18 shows the mass spectrum for 1-methylvinazene. FIG. 15 is themass spectrum for Vinazene. The parent peak occurs at 158, the massnecessary for C₈ H₆ N₄. A relatively intense peak occurs at 157,corresponding to loss of hydrogen from the 1-position of the aromaticring. A peak occurs at 132, corresponding to loss of a CN functionality.

FIG. 19 shows the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of1-methylvinazene. Three peaks at 7.0d, 6.4d, and 5.8d have threecoupling constants between them. This is consistent with asingly-substituted vinyl group. An additional peak at 3.8d correspondsto the methyl group at the 1-position of the aromatic ring. Theintegrals on this spectra are incorrectly labeled to 0 each. The peak at2.5 is incompletely dueterated NMR solvent, DMSO. The peak at 3.3d isresidual water in the NMR solvent.

FIGS. 20 and 21 contain viscosimetric plots and data for molecularweight measurement ofpoly[1-(1-methyl-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl)ethylene], also referred to aspoly[methyl Vinazene].

FIGS. 22 and 23 are respectively TGA and DSC plots for monomers andpolymers.

Summarization, Applications, and Advantages

In polymer chemistry, there are relatively few families of usefulvinylic monomers. Since the steric and electronic properties of a goodmonomer are quite well known, and a terminal vinyl group can only havetwo functionalities, one might be justified in assuming that all thesimply prepared vinylic monomers have already been discovered. Thepresent invention shows that this is not the case, based on a new familyof monomers based on 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole. The parent monomer isprepared by oxidation of acrodamn, which is the mono Schiff base ofdiaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) and acrolein. Since DAMN is the tetramer ofhydrogen cyanide and acrolein is prepared by oxidation of propene, onecan prepare 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole and its derivatives fromreadily available, moderately priced, starting materials. Once theoxidative cyclization occurs, the highly stable imidazole ring systemprevents reverse reactions. In spite of high nitrogen content, thesepolymers lose very little HCN or cyanogen by thermal processes.

The dicyanoimidazole ring system is in conjugation with the 2-vinylgroup, and this heterocycle has electron withdrawing effects similar to,but slightly weaker than, a simple cyano substituent. Thus,2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole behaves sterically like styrene andelectronically like acrylonitrile or acrylic esters. The monomerspolymerize very readily by free radical, or if substituted at 1-N, byanionic initiation to produce high molecular weight polymers. Unlikestyrene, for which the vinylic group deactivates the ring,2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole is easily substituted at the 1-nitrogen byelectrophiles before or after polymerization. Thus, an enormous varietyof structural changes are feasible. In addition to the great flexibilityoffered by substitution at the 1-nitrogen, the nitriles of4,5-dicyanoimidazole can also easily be modified to amides, carboxylicacids, or amines. Finally, the ease of polymerization of the2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole family of monomers suggests that copolymerswill readily form.

High nitrogen, low hydrogen stoichiometries confer some specialproperties. Typically, such molecules are electron acceptors and havelow base strength. They are often quite oxidation resistant and flameresistant. Certain combinations can have very high thermal stability aswell. Thus, high nitrogen materials are replacing halogen compounds,which have undesirable environmental effects, as flame retardants. Lowhydrogen content has another benefit. Compounds with numerous cyanogroups do not readily evolve HCN when H content is low. In fact, totalgas evolution can be low and char yield and nitrogen retention isremarkably high, even up to 900° C. under nitrogen.

To this point, there have been only a very limited number of polymersbased on HCN. Polyacrylonitrile and polyacrylates are generallyderivatives of HCN, and their place among the important polymers hasbeen established for many years. However, certain compounds, such ascyanogen and the HCN tetramer, diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN), have not ledto important polymers, in spite of considerable effort. Despite this,the present invention provides several key discoveries which allow thesynthesis of a new family of polymeric materials. The presentmethodology starts by the reaction of DAMN with acrolein or simplesubstituted acroleins such as methacrolein and crotonaldehyde. Thesealdehydes are readily available and like DAMN itself, can be obtained atmoderate prices in large quantities. The oxidation of these acylic monoanils leads directly to 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles. The parentmonomer of this family, 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, has theempirical formula C₇ H₄ N₄, and contains 39% nitrogen by weight.

Additionally, there are some rather subtle inductive effects whichcontrol the reactions of DAMN. For example, if one attempts to preparemonomethyl DAMN by direct alkylation, it is difficult to stop thereaction at this stage. Instead, the first methylation activates thenitrogen towards a second addition, and the two methyls activate thesecond nitrogen towards addition of a third methyl. Thus, the result ofslow, cold addition of one equivalent of methylation agent to diluteDAMN solution is trimethylDAMN. In sharp contrast to the methylationresults, at zero degrees, with dilute acid catalyst, reaction of DAMNwith acrolein forms only the mono-anil. The Schiff base formation at onenitrogen deactivates the second nitrogen towards forming the bis anil.On the other hand, the double bond, which now lies in conjugation to theDAMN end of the molecule, is highly activated.

To clarify the reactions of the Schiff base monomers, an anil wasprepared from 1-methyl-2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (FIG. 24). Thismonomer has no nucleophilic sites which can react with the activateddouble bond and indeed behaves very differently from Vinazene andN-methyl Vinazene.

As stated earlier, there are two general routes to prepare the4,5-dicyanomidazoles from DAMN. One can start from an electrophile,which is an acid or masked acid such as orthoformate. Alternatively, onecan start from a mono Schiff base and carry out oxidative ring closure.This latter method applied to acrodamn carries out an oxidative ringclosure to produce 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, without inducingpolymerization. The mechanism probably involves equilibrium cyclizationfrom which aromatization proceeds by irreversible dehydrogenation. Theunoptimized yields for this oxidation, which must be run carefully, arecurrently at 82%. The acidic imidazole (pK˜5) which results can bereadily alkylated in high yield without interference from the otherfunctional groups. This reaction is a prototype for the substitution ofmany other electrophiles onto the 1-position of the ring.

This present application refers to these monomers by the trivial names:Vinazene (trademark), for the 1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole; andmethyl Vinazene (trademark), etc., for its N-substituted derivatives.These monomers are fully characterized and are crystalline, air-stable,solids. However, they show a very interesting contrast in their thermalbehavior. Vinazene has a potential Michael nucleophile at the1-nitrogen, while methyl Vinazene does not. The DSC of Vinazene shows anexotherm following melting at 196° C., which is very similar to that ofacrodamn, though not nearly as sharp. The TGA shows no weight loss inthis region, and the ultimate char yield, starting from monomer, is veryhigh.

This behavior closely mimics the behavior of the acyclic Schiff basederivatives of DAMN. One may interpret these results as evidence for aconjugate addition, step growth, type of polymerization in which theimidazole moiety is in the main chain, as shown below. However, Vinazenealso polymerizes in a vinylic mode by earlier radical initiation, andthis polymer has a very different structure and thermal signature in theTGA, in which the char yield is lower.

On the other hand, methyl Vinazene shows no exotherm in the DSC afterthe melting point, and no indication of thermally inducedpolymerization, at least to the limit of the scan. Thus, methyl Vinazeneshould behave like a normal vinylic monomer carrying an electronwithdrawing group. The electron withdrawing character of dicyanosubstitution on imidazole is here known, but it is worth noting thatdicyanoimidazole is nearly nine orders of magnitude more acidic thanimidazole itself, pK˜14.

These electron withdrawing effects have now been confirmed by severalancillary synthesis. The 1-methyl-2-fluoro-4,5-dicyanoimidzole can beused in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. It reacts smoothlywith most nucleophiles to allow the preparation of 2-substitutedcyanoimidazoles of FIG. 25. The secondary amine has a pK˜4, and thetertiary amine is nearly planar at nitrogen in its crystallinestructure.

Thus, it is reasonable to place methyl Vinazene among the other vinylicmonomers carrying electron withdrawing groups such as acrylonitrile,acrylic esters, or perhaps cyano substituted styrenes. Thus, the vinyldicyanoimidazoles are a new family of monomers, prepared by a novelsynthesis starting from DAMN, and have many useful properties.

The polymerization of the parent monomer, Vinazene, by a thermallyinduced Michael addition process, gives an imidazole in-chain structure.However, it also polymerizes vinylically by initiation at 110° C. withbenzoyl peroxide to give viscous solutions which form free-standingfilms upon evaporation. This vinylic polymer has several unusualproperties.

The Vinazene monomer, like other dicyanoimidazoles, has a 1-H that isquite acidic, pK˜5.0, and gives a pattern in its infrared spectrum whichis characteristic of strong 1,3 hydrogen bonding. In the vinylichomopolymer, this hydrogen bonding will persist either inintramolecularly along the chain backbone, or intramolecularly, havingthe effect of locking the chains together.

In the cartoon of FIG. 10, an idealized intramolecular hydrogen bondingpattern is shown for a syndiotactic chain with alternate imidazole ringsabbreviated, Im, for clarity. While this orderly array is not possiblefor an atactic random coil structure, the likelihood of strong intra orintermolecular 1,3 hydrogen bonding is high, since this feature isevident in crystal structures done on small cyanoimidazole molecules.The polymer is, however, readily soluble in base, and one might hopethat, by forming a concentrated dope of polymer in base, one could thenspin the dope into acid, precipitating polymer fiber.

The 1-H polymer, with its facile reactions at the one nitrogen, can beenvisaged as a site for grafting, crosslinking, or as a site foracylation transfer catalysis. In fact, imidazoles are commonly used forthis latter purpose, but it would be extremely convenient to have apolymer immobilized version of such a catalyst. Appropriately graftedlong chain branches could confer hydrocarbon solubility, improvedprocessability, or opportunities for side chain functionality of almostany type. All that is needed for their synthesis is a suitableelectrophilic reagent. Crosslinking reagents of different lengths couldestablish aspects of chain microstructure and provide for differentdegrees of stiffness in the products.

Since the alkyl substituted Vinazenes polymerize so readily, analternative way to prepare the 1-H polymer is by a protection,polymerization, deprotection sequence analogous to the preparation ofpolyvinyl alcohol. This approach might be useful for preparingcopolymers of 1-protected monomer with other monomers. The masked formwould be more compatible with styrene or acrylonitrile, for example.After copolymerization, the protecting group could be removed, ormodified, to afford the desired functionality, which could be used forcrosslinking, or other grafting reactions. This approach to polymermodification has seen application in polybenzimidazoles, butcyanoimidazoles are more facile leaving groups and offer a differentrange of substitution possibilities. Nitrile functionalities are readilyhydrolyzed to carboxylic acids, so another use of this polymer could beas a carboxylic acid cation exchange resin.

As noted above, the Vinazene monomer can be cleanly alkylated in highyield without inducing polymerization. An initial polymerization attempton this monomer, using AIBN in acetonitrile, led to poly(methylVinazene), a hard, pale yellow polymer, in good yield. The structure isreadily discerned from the NMR and IR spectra to be a normalpolymethylene chain structure. The intrinsic viscosity in DMSO was[η]=0.6 dL/g, and using styrene values for the Mark Houwink constants,M_(v) =140,000.

Although polymerization of methyl Vinazene can be accomplished usingfree radical initiation, this monomer also polymerizes by anionicinitiation. These experiments take advantage of the electron withdrawingpower of the cyanoimidazole ring, and the initiator fluorenyl Li.Fluorene, (pK˜25) is among the mildest carbanions used for inducinganionic polymerization and will initiate acrylonitrile, but not styrene.Interestingly, methyl Vinazene is initiated by Li fluorenyl inacetonitrile solution. Optimized conditions for an anionicpolymerization could lead to block copolymers with styrene oracrylonitrile. Stereoregular polymerization is also a possibility, sincethe steric properties of the monomer are similar to styrene, andsyndiotactic polystyrene is now known.

Use of the Novel Compounds in Oligomer Synthesis

The current state of the art in oligonucleotide synthesis is automatedsolid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides by the phosphoramidite method,which is illustrated in FIG. 26. (Beaucage and Iyer (1992) Tetrahedron48:2223-2311; Zon and Geiser (1991) Anti-Cancer Drug Design 6:539-568:Matteucci and Caruthers (1981) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103:3185-3191). Generalbackground for this technology using tetrazol condensing agent is alsofound in articles by M. H. Caruthers, Science, 1985, 281 and J. Chem.Ed., Vol. 66, No. 7, July, 1989, 577. Briefly, the 3'-terminalnucleoside of the oligonucleotide to be synthesized is attached to asolid support and the oligonucleotide is synthesized by addition of onenucleotide at a time while remaining attached to the support. Asdepicted in FIG. 26, a nucleoside monomer is protected (P₁) and thephosphoramidite is prepared (1). The phosphoramidite (referred to as the5'-protected monomer unit) is then covalently attached to the growingoligonucleotide chain (2), via a phosphite triester linkage, through the5'-hydroxy group of the ribose ring of the growing oligonucleotide chainto yield the oligonucleotide product (3), in which the majority of thegrowing oligonucleotide chain has been extended by one nucleotide. Theproduct (3) is then oxidized to yield the phosphate triester (4). Priorto the addition of the next base to the growing nucleotide chain, the5'-hydroxyl group must be deprotected. As can be seen in FIG. 26(compound 4), however, not all of the reactive sites on the solidsupport react with the 5'-protected monomer. These unreacted sites(referred to as failure sequences) must, therefore, be protected(referred to as capping) (5) prior to deprotection of the 5'-hydroxylgroup (6). Subsequent monomers, which have also been protected andconverted to the phosphoramidite, are then sequentially added bycoupling the 5'-end of the growing oligomer to the 3'-end of themonomer. Each coupling reaction extends the oligonucleotide by onemonomer via a phosphite triester linkage. When the synthesis iscomplete, the desired oligonucleotide 6, the n+1 sequence, isdeprotected and cleaved from the resin, together with all of the failuresequences (n, n-x).

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the monomer unitconsists of a 5'-protected phosphoramidite or H-phosphonate, wherein theprotecting group is a substituted trityl group, levulinic acid group orsilyl ether group. The preferred substitution on the protecting group isa diene functionality, which can react, via a Diels-Alder reaction, witha solid support, such as a resin, membrane or polymer that has beenderivatized with a dienophile. In this embodiment, the unreactedoligonucleotide starting material is separated from the reactednucleotide product based on the selective or specific covalent reactionof the 5'-protecting group with a derivatized resin.

Certain terms used to describe the invention herein are defined asfollows:

"Nucleoside" means either a deoxyribonucleoside or a ribonucleoside orany chemical modifications thereof. Modifications of the nucleosidesinclude, but are not limited to, 2'-position sugar modifications,5-position pyrimidine modifications, 8-position purine modifications,modifications at cytosine exocyclic amines, substitution of5-bromo-uracil, and the like.

"Oligonucleotide" refers to either DNA or RNA or any chemicalmodifications thereof. The oligonucleotides synthesized by the method ofthis invention are depicted generally as in FIG. 27. In one embodiment,n=1 to 1,000, A is a 2'-sugar substituent, B is a nucleobase, and thephosphorous (P) is double bonded to oxygen (O) or sulfur (S).

A "solid support" as used herein refers to a resin, membrane, phase,polymer, polymer precursor, or soluble polymer that can undergo phasetransition. A solid support also refers to a resin, membrane, phase,polymer, polymer precursor, or soluble polymer that has beenderivatized.

Another example of "5'-protected monomer unit" is generally as in FIG.28, including the conventional number for the ribose ring. In FIG. 28, Bis a nucleobase; A and A' are 2'-sugar substituents; W is independentlyselected from the group consisting of a phosphoramidite, H-phosphonate,phosphotriester, phosphoramidate, protected oligonucleotide andmethylphosphonate; and D-E is an alcohol (hydroxyl) protecting group(s)which serves as an anchor for partitioning the successfully reactedoligonucleotide product away from the unreacted oligonucleotide startingmaterial. In a preferred embodiment of the invention: W is aphosphoramidite or H-phosphonate; A and A' are independently selected.(See PCT/US96/16668 (WO 97/14706 published Apr. 24, 1997) takingpriority from U.S. Ser. No. 60/005,619 filed Oct. 17, 1996, "Method forSolution Phase Synthesis of Oligonucleotides", and PCT/IB96/01185 (WO97/14710 published Apr. 24, 1997) taking priority from U.S. Ser. No.08/546,198 filed Oct. 20, 1995, "Preparation of PhosphorothioateOligomers", each of which is incorporate herein by reference in itsentirety as a background teaching tool).

In another embodiment the 5'-deprotected oligonucleotide is not requiredto be attached to a support. Instead, a material is used to interactselectively with the 5'-protecting group (D-E) of FIG. 28. For example,the product is captured or retained on a solid resin support by covalentreaction of the 5'-protecting group constituent with the resin. Then,unreacted starting material not carrying the 5'-protecting group iswashed away.

"Starting material" as used herein refers to the compound that isreacted with the 5'-protected monomer unit during each cycle ofsynthesis to produce an oligomer that has been extended by one of morenucleotides. The starting material can be designed to produce a [5',3']linkage between nucleotides or a [3',3'] linkage between nucleotides,depending on the desired oligonucleotide product. In the first instance,the starting material is a 5'-deprotected otherwise protectedoligonucleotide of length n, in the second case the starting material isa 3'-deprotected otherwise protected oligonucleotide of length n,wherein n is an integer from 1-1000. The starting material is2',3'-protected by protecting groups, such as base labile groups, thatare compatible with the reaction of the 5'-protected monomer units withthe starting material and with 5'-deprotection reactions. Additionally,because the process consists of the controlled and sequentialpolymerization of an oligonucleotide, the starting material of one cycleis typically the deprotected product from the previous cycle. Because inone embodiment, the process does not require that the 3'-terminalnucleotide be anchored to a solid support, the starting material caninclude non-nucleoside modifications. Non-nucleoside modifications canbe introduced to the 3'-terminus which would not ordinarily be possibleby solid phase synthesis. Non-nucleoside modifications to the3'-terminus of the starting material include, but are not limited to,the use of polyethylene glycol mono-methylether (molecular weight 5,000to 100,000) (PEG) or other high molecular weight non-immunogenic unitsas the 3'-terminal monomer for preparation of oligonucleotides withimproved pharmacokinetic properties.

"Product" as used herein refers to an oligonucleotide that is producedby the covalent reaction of the 5'-protected monomer unit with thestarting material during each cycle. As stated above, if the startingmaterial is a 5'-deprotected oligonucleotide of length n and the5'-monomer unit is a single nucleotide, the product of the reaction willbe a 5'-protected oligonucleotide of length n+1. If the 5'-protectedmonomer unit is an oligonucleotide block of length m, the product of thereaction will be a 5-protected oligonucleotide of length n+m. Theproduct from a particular cycle is then 5'-deprotected and becomes thestarting material for the next cycle.

A "failure sequence" refers to the starting material from a particularcycle that fails to react with the 5'-protected monomer unit during thatcycle.

The growing oligonucleotide chain or block refers to either a5'-deprotected oligonucleotide chain or a 5'-protected oligonucleotidechain that has been prepared by the sequential addition of nucleotides(N) beginning with the 3'-terminal nucleotide of the desired nucleotideusing the method of this invention. After each reaction cycle of theprocess, the growing oligonucleotide increases in length by at least oneoligonucleotide, and becomes the starting material for the next reactioncycle. As used herein, the term can refer to either starting material orproduct, and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize what isintended by the term in a particular context.

In a representative synthesis method, a 5'-protected monomer unit, suchas phosphoramidite, is added to a starting material in solution, in thepresence of an activator, to yield a product to which one nucleotide hasbeen added via a phosphite triester linkage. In a preferred embodiment,the activator is a polymer according to the invention. The startingmaterial is a 5'-deprotected otherwise protected oligonucleotide oflength n, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 1000, and the product isa 5'-protected oligonucleotide of length n+1. The 5'-deprotectedoligonucleotide starting material need not be anchored to a solidsupport, but rather, using standard methods, is simply 2', 3'-protectedby protecting groups, such as base labile groups, that are compatiblewith the reaction of the 5'-protected monomer units with the startingmaterial and with 5'-deprotection reactions. Thus, modifications can beintroduced to the 3'-terminus which are not possible by solid phasesynthesis. This includes, but it not limited to, the use of polyethyleneglycol mono-methylether (molecular weight 5,000 to 100,000) or otherhigh molecular weight non-immunogenic units.

After completion of the reaction between the 5'-protected monomer unitand starting material, the reaction mixture contains three species:unreacted 5'-protected monomer unit, unreacted starting material, andthe product of the reaction, compound, which is a 5'-protectedolionucleotide of length n+1. As discussed above, any of the startingmaterial (a 5'-deprotected oligonucleotide of length n) which fails toreact with the 5'-protected monomer unit, is referred to as the failuresequence, as this sequence was not extended. The product of thereaction, compound, is a 5'-protected oligonucleotide chain extended byone nucleotide (length n+1), by the covalent reaction of the 5'-hydroxygroup of starting material, an oligonucleotide of length n with the3'-phosphoramidite group of the 5'-protected monomer unit. The product,compound, is the major component, and the 5'-protected monomer unit andthe starting material that did not react are present only in minoramounts.

At this stage of the process, it is necessary to remove the unreacted5'-protected monomer unit from the reaction mixture, both to purify thematerials, and to recover the monomer starting material. According tothis embodiment, non-reacted monomer is reacted to form an easilyremovable ionic species. Oxidation of the phosphite triester tophosphate triester may be carried out in the same reaction flask simplyby addition of an oxidizing agent. In situ oxidation gives the desiredoligonucleotide product, the phosphate salt of monomer, as well asunreacted oligonucleotide starting material. The monomer phosphate saltis the only free salt in the reaction mixture and thus is easily removedby techniques known to those in the art, including but not limited to,filtration through an anion exchange resin or membrane or extractionwith an aqueous phase. In an alternate variation of this embodiment ofthe invention, the 3'-terminal monomer is a polyethylene glycolmonomethylether of molecular weight 5,000 to 100,000, preferably 20,000.In this case, a simply molecular weight cut-off membrane can be used toremove monomer. After the unreacted monomer has been removed from thereaction mixture, the remaining filtrate may then be partitioned in anymanner suitable to separate the "oligonucleotide product" from the"failure sequence."

Example of Oligomer Synthesis

This example shows the utility of polymers derived from1-H-2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole in promoting the phosphoramiditecoupling reaction used in the laboratory synthesis of oligomers. Themethod of synthesis using the new activating agent of the invention willbe exemplified by synthesis of DNA.

The chemical synthesis of DNA which proceeds by cycles of addition ofdeoxymononucleotide, is shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 29 shows a reactionsequence for synthesis of oligomers by the steps of detritylation;coupling; capping of unreacted material; and oxidation of coupledmaterial. The coupling/activating agent (χ) of the invention is shownwith reference to FIGS. 4, 4A and 10. In this embodiment, a support isused, but is optional per embodiments described above. In step 1,detritylation of a support bound and protected nucleotide occurs,typically, by treatment with dichloroacetic acid in an inert solventsuch as methylene chloride. The deprotected nucleotide is carefullywashed and dried with acetonitrile.

In step 2, the deprotected nucleotide reacts with a protecteddoxynucleoside 3'-phosphoramidite. The synthesis proceeds in thepresence of the preferred polymer activator with preferably R1=H (FIG.10). This polymer is poly[1-(1H-4,5-dicyano-2-imidazolyl) ethylene]. Thepolymer is added as a solid or on a support such as silica. The polymercondenses with the free 5'-hydroxyl, and then promotes the reaction ofthe phosphoramidate to effect coupling with the loss of isopropylamine.This salt is usually washed away in conventional methods absent thepolymer activator of the invention. In the case of the polymerpromoter/activator, a polymeric salt is formed. The polymeric salt canbe removed by filtration and regenerated by treatment with strong acid,and used again.

Steps 3 and 4, the final two steps in the synthesis cycle, are cappingand oxidation. The capping reaction, step 3, is carried out with aceticanhydride and dimethylaminopyridine, and its purpose is to acylate anyDNA segments that fail to react during coupling. These unreactedoligomers, if not capped, might get involved in subsequent steps wheretheir removal would be more difficult to achieve. The oxidation stepuses I₂ in 2,6-lutidine/water/tetrahydrofuran (2:2:1 v/v/v) to convertthe phosphite triester to the phosphate triester. After the sequentialaddition of nucleotides is completed, the DNA is freed of any remainingprotecting groups, the beta-cyanoethyl protecting group on thephosphorous atoms is removed, and the ester linkage connecting the DNAto the support is hydrolyzed.

Note that the beta-cyanoethyl protecting group is a chiral auxiliarywhich has left- and right-handed features to aid in alignment of unitsto enhance chain formation. Such chiral auxiliary groups are known inthe art for being hand-like mirror images that are not superimposable.

While this invention has been described in terms of certain embodimentsthereof, it is not intended that it be limited to the above description,but rather only to the extent set forth in the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined in the following claims:

We claim:
 1. A polymer consisting of imidazole ring units havingnitrogen at the 1 and 3 positions of the ring; a carbon at each of the2, 4 and 5 positions of the ring; linking carbons 6 and 7 derived from avinyl group at said 2 position carbon; and radical substituents G1 andG2 carried at respective said 4 and 5 positions where G1 and G2 are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of cyano, andsubstituents derived from cyano; where said polymer is formed by atleast two of said cyclic imidazole units joined by linkage through anycombination of: carbon at said 2 position and nitrogen at said 1position.
 2. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein G1 and G2 are eachcyano groups.
 3. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein said G1 and G2are each independently selected from the group consisting of cyano,carboxy, amide, amine, carboxylic acid and carboxylic acid ester.
 4. Thepolymer according to claim 1 wherein said G1 and G2 are each hydrolysisderivatives of cyano.
 5. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein eachof said units is connected to a main polymer chain through said linkingcarbons; having the formula ##STR1## where R1 is hydrogen or a groupattachable to said cyclic compound by an electrophilic agent; R2 ishydrogen or an organic group that doesn't interfere with polymerization;and R3 is hydrogen.
 6. The polymer according to claim 5 wherein R1 is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl having one to ten carbon atoms, andR2 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having up to fourcarbon atoms.
 7. The polymer according to claim 5 wherein R1 is hydrogenor is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl,isobutyl, benzyl, nonyl and carbamoyl; and wherein R2 is selected fromthe group of methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl.
 8. The polymer accordingto claim 5 wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl and each of G1 and G2 iscyano; having one of the formulas ##STR2##
 9. The polymer according toclaim 5 wherein R1 is methyl and each said G1 and G2 is a hydrolysisproduct of cyano having one of the formulas
 10. The polymer according toclaim 1 wherein each said unit is connected to another said unit bylinkage through both said 1 and 7 positions; having the formula where R4and R5 are each independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted alkyls having 1-4 carbonatoms.
 11. A polymer consisting of repeat units of the formula ##STR3##where R4 and R5 are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted alkyls havingone to four carbon atoms; and where G1 and G2 are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of cyano, and substituents derivedfrom cyano.
 12. The polymer according to claim 11 wherein G1 and G2 areeach cyano groups.
 13. The polymer according to claim 11 wherein G1 andG2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of cyano,carboxy, carbamoyl, amide, amine, carboxylic acid and carboxylic acidester.
 14. The polymer according to claim 11 wherein said G1 and G2 areeach hydrolysis derivatives of cyano.
 15. A polymer consisting of repeatunits of formula ##STR4## where: a) E is hydrogen, or an organic orinorganic substituent attachable to the nitrogen by an electrophilicagent;b) R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1-4 carbonatoms; c) R3 is hydrogen; and d) G1 and G2 are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of cyano, and substituents derivedfrom cyano.
 16. The polymer according to claim 15 where E is abifunctional electrophile or epoxide.
 17. The polymer according to claim15 where E is selected from the group consisting of an organic grouphaving 1 to 10 carbon atoms; a catalytic substituent; a fluorescentsubstituent; a hydrophobic modifier substituent; a hydrophilic modifiersubstituent; and a crosslinking substituent.